Rockliff blames Labor for state NAPLAN result

TASMANIA'S 2014 National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy results reinforce the need for the state government's investment in education, according to Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff.

Tasmania's results trailed the national average in all but one category, year 7 reading, where the Tasmanian results matched the national average.

Although Tasmania bridged the gap between its results and the national average in a number of categories, it was consistently ranked sixth or seventh out of all states and territories.

"While there was some welcome improvement compared to the Australian average, there is still much work to be done," Mr Rockliff said.

"The results are an indictment on the former Labor and Labor-Green governments, which failed our students, experimenting with the education system and providing little stability for teachers and students.

"What is particularly troubling is that fewer Tasmanian students achieved at the national minimum standard in year 9 reading and year 7 and year 9 spelling compared to the previous year."

Mr Rockliff said the results proved the government must take steps to improve Tasmanian literacy and numeracy skills.

"No better case can be made for the Liberal government's move to urgently introduce 25 new literacy and numeracy specialist teachers in Tasmanian schools," he said.

Shadow Education Minister Michelle O'Byrne

Opposition education spokeswoman Michelle O'Byrne said Labor had understood the challenges it faced in improving educational outcomes for Tasmanian students.

"The bipartisan approach Labor took towards Gonski is in stark contrast to Mr Rockliff playing politics with NAPLAN data," she said.

"If Mr Rockliff really wanted to improve outcomes for Tasmanian students he would stand up to Christopher Pyne, who has slashed millions from Tasmanian schools by tearing up Gonski in bad faith."